Feeler mechanism for looms



l SNOW.

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

APPLICATION FILED mm: H, 1920.

1,369,481 Patented Feb. 22, 1921.

2-.SHEETSSHEET l- I. SNOW.

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMSL APPLICATION FILED JUNE II, 1920.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ISAAC SNOW, OF LAWRENCE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO DRAPER CORPORATION,OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

eeann.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 22, 1921.

Application filed June 11, 1920. Serial No. 388,276.

2' '0 oil w from it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISAAC SNOW, a citizen of the United States, residingat Lawrence, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, haveinvented an Improvement in Feeler Mechanisms for Looms, of which thefollowing description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, isa specification, like characters on the drawings representing likeparts.

This invention relates to feeler mechanisms for looms, whereby fillingreplenishment is effected when the filling in the shut tle has becomesubstantially exhausted.

Among the several types of feeler mechanism heretofore suggested, isthat known as the side swipe feeler mechanism, wherein the feeler isgiven a movement longitudinally of the shuttle or laterally with respectto the loom when the filling in the shuttle is substantially exhausted;and a train of mechanism is associated with the feeler and actuated byits Side swipe movement for setting in operation the fillingreplenishing mechanism. The present invention is more particularlydirected to feeler mechanisms of this general type, and has for one ofits objects to simplify the construction and render the feeler moresensitive to the presence and substantial absence of filling in theshuttle on a detecting beat.

In the side swipe feeler mechanism heretofore suggested, the feeler hasbeen given its side swipe movement either by frontward pressure of asurface within the shuttle on a detecting beat or by means whichacts'upon the feeler independently of the frontward pressure. In thissecond class of side swipe feelers, the means which gives the feeler itsside swipe or lateral movement has usually been devised as a springwhich acts constantly upon the feeler. In the present invention, springmeans is employed for giving to the feeler its side swipe movement whenthe filling is substantially exhausted and the spring has one endconnected to the fceler and its other end is extended laterally so thatas the feeler moves frontwardly on a detecting beat, thelaterally-extended end of the feeler spring is tensioned to impart tothe feeler a tendency to return to its rearward position, and also tomove laterally.

When the feeler moves to its rearward position it is stopped or limitedin its movement preferably by providing the laterally-exside of theloom, showing more particularly 7 the feeler mechanism and itsassociated parts;

Fig. ,2 is an enlarged plan view showing the action of the feelermechanism when a working supply of filling is present on a detectingbeat;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, showing the action of thefeeler mechanism when the filling is substantially exhausted on adetecting beat; and

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the feele'r mechanism. i

The loom frame 1 has mounted thereon the brackets 2, one at each side ofthe loom, 1n which 1s supported the transverse or rock shaft 3 by whichmotion is transmitted to the train of devices for setting in operationthe filling replenishing mechanism,'as usual in this class of looms.Rising from the transverse or rock shaft 3 is the arm 4 to whlch ispivoted at 5 the latch 6 which is adapted to be moved frontwardly toeffect rocking movement of the transfer or rock shaft at times, by anoperating member 7 which may be associated with the usual cam followeror weft hammer. In the present instance of the invention the latch 6 hasa rear engaging end portion 8 which is pivoted to the latch at 9 and isweighted or balanced to normally hold the engaging end 8 out of or belowthe path of the operating member 7. The engaging end 8 has connectedthereto a finger 10 which overlies an arm 11 of a bell crank leverpivoted at 12 on the sup- )ort 13 suitably mounted on the loom frame.

he other arm 14 of the bell crank lever is connected to a transmitter15, which is itself connected to the feeler, the construction being suchthat when the feeler is moved frontwardly on a detecting beat withoutbeing laterally displaced, the engaging end 8 of the latch remains outof the path of movement of the operating member 7 but when the feeler ismoved laterally, as will hereinafter more fully appear, the engaging end8 of the latch is moved into the path of the operating member and thetransverse or rock shaft 3 is actuated to eflfect replenishment offilling.

The feeler is mounted for movement toward and from the front of theloom, and also for movement laterally or in a direction longitudinallyof the shuttle, and any suitable means may be employed for mounting thefeeler with this capacity of movement. In the present instance of theinvention, the shipper stand 16 has extending therefrom the slotted arm17 to which is connected adjustably the supporting bracket 18 by theadjusting bolt 19. Adjustably supported upon the bracket 18 is thefeeler stand 20 which may be connected to the supporting bracket 18 by abolt 21 passing through a slot 22 of the feeler stand. The feeler stand20 has suitable bearing portions for the feeler 23 which permit thefeeler to partake of the movements hereinbefore described. In thepresent instance the feeler stand 20 has the front projection or flange24, and a similar projection or flange 25 at the rear. In the flange 24an opening 26 is made of suitable size to freely receive the feeler 23and permitfrontward and rearward movement thereof, as well, also, aslateral movement. The rear projection or flange 25 is provided with aslot or bearing 27 which is extended laterally to permit the feeler 23to have a lateral as well as a frontward and rearward movement.

The feeler 23 has connected thereto, one end of a spring, the other endof which is extended laterally from the feeler and engages a hearingwhich is out of the path of frontward movement of the feeler, with theresult that as the feeler is moved frontwardly, the laterally-extendingarm or end of the spring imparts to the feeler a tendency to moverearwardly and also laterally or longitudinally of the shuttle. In thepresent instance of the invention, the spring is of the coil type,wherein the coil 28 of the spring surrounds a stud or bolt 29 which ismounted upon the feeler. One end of the spring is adjustably connectedto the feeler, and to this end the bolt 29 has mounted thereon thesleeve 30 about which the coil portion 28 of the spring extends, andbetween the top of the sleeve and the head of the bolt 29 is anadjusting flange or thumbpiece 31 to which is secured the end 32 of thespring. The" lower edge of the flange 3O rests upon the top of thefeeler 23 and the lower end of the bolt 29 has. threaded thereto thesecuring nut 33, whereby the parts may be clamped to the feeler-and thetension of the spring may be adjusted, as desired.

The spring, as will be noted, is preferably of the coil type, and theaxis of the spring.

or coil intersects the longitudinal axis or dimension ofthe feeler. Thespring has extending laterally therefrom the tensioning arm 34which-rests upon a bearing or guide, so that as the feeler movesfrontwardly the tension of the spring is inincreased, preferably bywinding up the coils 28, and thus placing the feeler under a tendency tomove rearwardly and laterally to the left, Fig. 2. The bearing or guidefor the tensioning arm is conveniently carried by an adjustable support35 which may be secured in adjusted position laterally with respect tothe path of movement of the feeler toward'and from the front of the loomby an adjusting bolt 36 and a slot 37 formed in' the support 35. Thebolt 36 may conveniently be threaded into the front flange 24 of thefeeler stand. The laterally-extended portion of the support 35 is, inthe present instance, bifurcated at 38 as indicated in Fig. 1, and inthe bifurcation 38 is supported the rollers 39 and 40, between whichextends the tensioning arm 34:. The rollers 39 and 40 are held to thesupport by suitable pins 41, the construction being such that when thefeeler moves frontwardly, the spring is placed under tension by thebearing or roller 39 and exerts its influence to return the feeler toits rearward position and move it laterally to the left, Figs. 2 and 3.

When the feeler returns to its rearward feeling'position it is desirableto limit its movement and position it for the exercise of its feelingaction. In the present instance, the tensioning arm 34; is provided witha hook or stop 12, which, as the feeler moves rearwardly under theimpulse of its actuating spring, engages the roller 40 and brings thefeeler to rest. The spring at such time no longer exerting any forceupon the feeler to move it laterally, and the engagement of the hook orstop to pull 42 with the stop and roller I0 acts through the spring topull the feeler laterally to the normal feeling position, Fig. 1,whenever the feeler is inclinedas it approaches its rearmost position.In other words, when the feeler is in its rearward feeling position, itis and may be conveniently termed dead and has no tendency to movelaterally in either direc- 1 tion under the influence of a spring. Butwhen the feeler starts frontwardly on a detecting beat, the spring isplaced under tension by the bearing against the tensioning arm 34:, andat once assumes a tendency to .120 move laterally and rearwardly.

The feeler 23 is provided with any usual form of toothed engaging end 43whlch will sink into the filling when a working supply is present on adetecting beat, and will pro 125 vent lateral movement of the feelerresponsive to the spring as the feeler moves front wardly until thefilling is substantially exhausted, whereupon the toothed end of thefeeler will no longer be held by the filling, 130

and the feeler will move laterally, as indicated in Fig. 3.

In order to utilize the lateral or side swipe movement of the feeler toeffect replenishment of filling, the transmitter 15 is connected to thefeeler in the present instance of the invention as at 44, and exerts apull on the transmitter 15 when the feeler moves laterally from theposition indicated in Fig. 2 to that of Fig. 3, thereby placing thetrain of mechanism in operative condition to effect replenishment offilling.

The lay 45 is provided with an opening 46 in its front wall, whichregisters with an opening 47 in the adjacent wall of the shuttle 48 whenthe latter is in the filling re plenishing box 49, as indicated inFig. 1. The shuttle, as usual, carries the bobbin 50 on which thefilling is wound. The parts last described with respect to the lay,shuttle and shuttle-box, are all of usual construction as found infilling replenishing looms, and need no further elucidation.

When a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle on adetecting beat, the feeler 23 is moved frontwardly and the feeler springis placed under tension. Owing to the fact that the teeth 43 of thefeeler sink into the mass of filling, the feeler will not respond to thetendency of the spring to move it laterally, and the parts will assumethe position indicated in Fig. 2. When, however, the filling issubstantially exhausted on a detecting beat, the toothed end 43 of thefeeler will no longer be held from side swipe or lateral movement and asthe feeler moves frontwardly on a detecting beat, the feeler spring willimpart to the feeler its side swipe movement and effect replenishment offilling. On the return of the feeler to its rearward position, the hook42 on the tensioning arm brings the feeler to rest in its rearwardposition.

What is claimed is 1. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combinationof a feeler mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loomand longitudinally of the shuttle, a spring mounted upon the feeler, anarm extending from the spring, a guide through which the arm extends andby which the spring is placed under tension yieldingly to move thefeeler rearwardly to its normal feeling position and tending to move thefeeler laterally as the feeler moves frontwardly on a detecting beat.

2. A feeler mechanism, comprising in combination, a feeler that issupported for movement toward and from the front of the loom and also ina direction longitudinally of the shuttle, a coiled spring mounted uponthe feeler and having a laterally extended arm by which "the coils ofthe spring are wound up as the feeler moves frontwardly, and a bearingacting upon the laterally extending arm by which the tension of thespring is exerted to move the feeler laterally when filllng issubstantially exhausted on a detecting beat.

1 r 1 3. In a feeler mechanism ror rooms, the coinblnation of a feeler,a coiled spring 'mounted upon the feeler with the axis of the coilintersecting the longitudinal dimension of the feeler, an arm extendingfrom the coiled spring, and means acting on the arm to increase thetension of the spring as the feeler moves frontwardly.

4. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a coiled springmounted upon the feeler with the axis of the coil in tersecting thelongitudinal dimension of the feeler, an arm extending from the coiledspring, means acting on the arm to increase the tension of the spring asthe feeler moves frontwardly, and stop which arrests the feeler in itsrearward feeling position.

5. A feeler mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loomand longitudinally of the shuttle, a yielding arm carried by the feelerand extending therefrom, a bearing supported at one side of the path ofmovement of the feeler against which the extending arm bears, said armconstructed and arranged to yieldingly move the feeler longitudinally ofthe shuttle and rearwardly to its normal feeling position.

6. A feeler mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loomand longitudinally of the shuttle, a spring having one end connected tothe feeler and the other end extending laterally therefrom, a bearingagainst which the laterally extending end rides as the feeler movesfrontwardly, and which tensions the spring to urge the feelerlongitudinally of the shuttle, and a stop acting through the arm as thefeeler reaches its rearmost position to move the feeler laterally to itsnormal feeling position.

7. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler movabletoward and from the front of the loom, a spring having one end connectedto the feeler and the other end extending laterally therefrom, a bearingagainst which the laterally extending end rides as the feeler movesfrontwardly, and a hook carried by the laterally extending end to engagea fixed part and limit the action of the spring.

8. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler mountedfor move ment toward and from the front of the loom, a spring having oneend fixed to the feeler, an arm extending from the spring, a bearingsupported at one side of the path of movement of the feeler and againstwhich the arm bears as the feeler moves frontwardly, and a stop forlimiting the rearward movement of the feeler.

9. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler mountedfor move ment toward and from the front of the loom and also in adirection longitudinally of the shuttle, a spring connected to thefeeler and having a tensioning arm, a bearing supported out of the pathof movement of the feeler and against which the tensionin arm hears asthe 'feeler moves frontwardly, and a hool; or stop on the tensioning armfor limiting the action of the spring when the :teeler is in rearwardposition.

10. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a iecler mountedfor move ment toward and from the front of the loom and also in adirection longitudinally of the shuttle, a spring connected to thefeeler and hayin a tensioning arm, a hearing supported out oi the pathof movement of the feeler and against which the tensioning arm hears asthe feeler moves frontwardly, means for adjusting the bearing laterallyand a hook or stop on the tensioning arm for limiting the action of thespring when the feeler is in rearward position.

1]. A feeler mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loomand longitudinally oi": the shuttle, a yielding arm extending laterallyfrom the feeler, a bearing acting upon the arm as the feeler movesirontwardly to urge the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle, and a stopacting through the arm as the feeler reaches its rearmost position topull the feeler laterally into its normal feeling position.

In testimony whereof, I name to this specification.

ISAAC SNOW.

have signed my

